Symantec has released their annual Internet Security Threat Report and it is a mixed bag regarding the treats that exist online. The overall number of web attacks went down by more than 30%, which is obviously a great thing. Specific types of attacks, however, are on the rise. Unfortunately, the types of attacks that are on the rise are the ones that are the most costly to businesses and consumers.
Ransomware attacks, for example, shot up by 36%. These are the attacks where the victim’s files are encrypted and then lost forever if they don’t pay a set amount in ransom. This is a particularly costly and effective type of attack because, at least so far, the attackers generally decrypt the files once the ransom is paid.
The total number of data breaches also went down over the past year, which is very important given the risk that these types of breaches put on the consumers.
Michael Fey, president and COO of Symantec commented about this report saying, “It’s so much easier to make a direct connection with your target. You used to have to be tigers waiting around the watering hole, but now they go find their prey and don’t just wait for them. Thanks to social media and the way we scream to the world who we are and what we care about that can be mined, the need to sit on a web platform is reduced. [Website attacks] still work, but there are alternative wys to make a more deliberate path.”
So, while the quantity of attacks against both businesses and consumers is down, the threat is really up quite significantly. Many attacks in the past were unsuccessful, whereas the more targeted attacks that are growing in popularity today have a higher success rate and more return for the bad actors who are conducting them.
The bottom line for marketers is that it is more important than ever to make sure data is backed up, security is in place, and you’re always being vigilant for digital threats.
